Electrical hair waving heater



June 23, 1936. F. v. SCHLEIMER ELECTRICAL HAIR WAVING HEATER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26, 1954 EJ426967 7/65 1J3 v INVENTOR. /'/0y0 V. 5c/7/efmer W M w June 23, 1936.

F. V. SCHLEIM ER ELECTRICAL HAIR WAVING HEATER Filed Dec. 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'IE E INVENTOR. /"/0g0 K fic/r/e/mer ATTORNEY.

Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL HAIR. WAVING HEATER forma Application December 26, 1934, Serial No. 759,161

9 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical heating devices for use in conjunction with permanent hair waving. As such devices are commonly employed, they are engaged over curlers or waving forms upon which strands of a head of hair are wrapped.

It is an object of the invention to provide a heater of the above character which will be characterized by lightness of weight in addition to being relatively compact with respect to size.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel form of hair-waving heater incorporating a thermostatic switch, whereby in operation the temperature of the heating element or elements cannot rise to such a value as might cause serious injury to the hair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hair-waving heater provided with lightsignalling means, to visibly indicate or demonstrate automatic control of the current supply.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end elevational view, partly in crosssection, illustrating a hair-waving heater incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in crosssection, showing one side of the heater assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail, illustrating the thermostatic switch assembly employed in conjunction with the heater.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. l, but showing a modification incorporating a pilot lamp.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the heater shown in Fig. 5, with certain parts broken away to show the receptacle for the pilot lamp.

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 'il of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

All of the views I to 8 inclusive are on an enlarged scale.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the heater illustrated is of a type adapted particularly for croquignole waving. In croquignole hair waving, a flattened strand of hair is wound upon an elongated curler, beginning from the tip of the strand and winding towards the head. After completing the wrapping of a head of hair, with the curlers mounted upon suitable protectors, the heaters are clipped upon the curlers for a steaming or baking operation. In general, a complete heating device includes a pair of electrical heating elements II which are elongated and which are adapted to engage opposite sides of a curler, and which are secured to the handles IS. A hinge connected between these handles is formed by complementary pairs of plugs l4 and IE, together with the pivot pin ll. A spring l8, associated with the pivot pin I1, normally urges the heating elements H together. By forcing together the ends of the handles-that the portions l9-the heating elements H can be spread apart for application to a curler.

While the construction of the heating elements I I may vary in detail, they are shown formed of a relatively flat resistance element or unit 23, enclosed within an outer metallic shell. The shell can be formed of a curved sheet metal wall 24, having its side and edges crimped or turned back to engage the marginal edges of an outer metal wall 26. The resistance element 23 can be formed of a suitable resistance wire wrapped upon a strip of sheet mica or like insulating material, with suitable insulation, such as mica, interposed between the resistance wire and the inner surfaces of the surrounding metal shell. The sheet metal forming the shell can be of aluminum, in order toafford utmost lightness.

The handles Hi can be substantially duplicates as to construction, and each is preferably formed practically entirely of suitable insulating material, such as a molded phenolic condensate product. To facilitate manufacture and assembly, each handle is preferably formed of a main part or body I311, in conjunction with a separate removable inner block I 3b. That portion of each handle extending from the hinge connection to the associated heating element is formed hollow to afford a pocket or recess 21. As will be presently explained, this pocket is utilized in attaching the heating element to the handle, and also serves to accommodate a thermostatic switch for controlling current supply. a

The type of mounting afforded for each of the heating elements to the associated handles can now be briefly described as followsz-Formed integrally with the sheet metal wall 24, and extending laterally from the same, there is a metal strip 29. Likewise formed integrally with the outer sheet metal wall 26 there is a metal strip 3|. These two strips extend into the pocket 21 in engagement with the side pocket surfaces 32 and 33, and are bent to concave form to form the engaged longitudinal edge portions 34. These edge portions are slidably accommodated in grooves 35, formed in the body part |3a of the handle. At the end portion 36 of block i311, a substantially V-shaped slot 31 is provided. This slot serves to accommodate a tab 38 formed upon the extremity of strip 29. In assembling a heating element with respect to a handle, strips 29 and Si are first slid into the pocket 21, with the edge portions 34 being accommodated in slots 36, and while block I3b is removed tongue 38 is bent back to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus forming an interlock engagement without further attaching means.

The thermostatic switch, in its association with the other parts of the heater, can now be described as follows:The switch is designated generally at 4| and is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. It is accommodated within the space 42, between the metal strips 29 and BI. While the switch may take various forms, the detailed construction shown in Fig. 4 has given good results. In this case, a mounting strip 43 of sheet metal is provided, which is cut to afiord bendable end tabs 44 and 45. Adjacent one side of the mounting 43 there is a bimetallic strip 41 which flexes in response to variations in temperature and which has an electrical contact 48 carried by its free end. The stationary end of bimetallic strip 41 carries laterally extending lugs 49, and the stationary contact 5| is carried by strip 52. Both the lugs 49 and the ends of strip 52 are covered by the insulating material 53 and are gripped by the tabs 44 and 45 to form a complete assembly. Terminal tab 54 is for making electrical connection to the bimetallic strip 41 and the moving contact 48, while wire 55 makes electrical connection to strip 52 and the stationary contact 5|.

The entire assembly unit of Fig. 4 can be slipped into the space 42 of one of the handles, substantially as shown in Fig. 3. In this instance, one terminal wire 51 from the heating element is shown extending upwardly through the insulating tube 58, while the other terminal wire from the heating element is the wire 55 of Fig. 4. The edge portions 59 of the mounting 43 are suitably curved, to insure ample free space for flexing of the bimetallic strip 41. Likewise, this mounting is suitably insulated from other metal parts, namely, the strips 29 and 3|. Thus, a strip of mica 5| prevents grounding upon the metal strip 3|, and one or more mica strips 62 or like insulating material prevent grounding upon the metal strip 29.

Generally, it is neither necessary nor desirable to provide a thermostatic switch for each of the handles. Therefore, while the mounting between the heating element and the other handle is preferably the same as that previously described, in this instance the terminal wires 61 and 68 extend upwardly through insulating tubes 69 and H, to terminal screws corresponding to the screws 64 and 66. In connecting the heater to a source of current supply, the terminals for the handles are connected in series, and, by virtue of the connection previously described, the thermostatic switch is thereby serially connected with both of the heating elements.

Operation of the device described above can now be briefly explained as follows:-Assuming that the heater is connected to a source of current supply, and applied to a curler wound with a strand of hair, the contacts 48 and 5| of the thermostatic switch are first closed, to complete the circuit. As the elements exceed a predetering means.

mined temperature level of, say, 180 degrees, the thermostatic switch, because of its thermal association with strips 29 and 3| which in turn conduct heat from the shell of the heating element becomes heated to a sufiicient degree to cause bimetallic strip 4'! to flex to open the contacts 48 and 5|. Thus, current supply to the heating elements is interrupted until the temperature has fallen to a sufficient degree to cause contacts 48 and 5| to again open.

Particular features of the heater described above can be outlined as followsz-A relatively rigid and strong connection is afforded between the handles and the heating element, without the use of screws, rivets, or like conventional fasten- The thermostatic switch is mounted in such a manner that it properly responds to temperature variations of the heating element and at the same time it is enclosed in such a manner as to avoid accidental injury. The assembly is such as to facilitate manufacture, to form a heater of minimum overall dimensions and of relatively light weight.

The modification shown in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive is of particular value in demonstrating automatic control of the current supply by virtue of the thermostatic switch. In general, the construction is similar to that described in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, except that a small electrical socket l5 is mounted upon the outer face of one of the handles l3 and serves to carry a small pilot lamp H. The terminal contacts '38 and Y9 for socket can be associated with the circuit for the remainder of the heater in any desired manner, as for example connected in shunt with the leads to a heating element. Terminal screws 54 and 66 are shown extending through handle portion |3a for attaching the socket to the handle, with one of the screws connected to terminal contact 19. An extra terminal screw 82 is provided for connection with terminal 18.

When a group of heaters constructed as last described is applied to a head of hair and supplied with current, it is evident that flashing of the signal lamps will indicate the manner in which the current is being automatically controlled. With each signal lamp connected in shunt with a heating element, the lamp will burn only when current is being supplied. If each signal lamp is connected in shunt with the thermostatic switch, it will be extinguished when current is being supplied, and illuminated when the current supply is interrupted.

I claim:

1. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, a heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within a metallic shell, a handle of insulating material secured to said heating element and extending laterally from the same, a thermostatic switch disposed within said handle, a metallic heat-conducting member extending laterally from the shell and serving to conduct heat from the heating element to the thermostatic switch and also serving as a means for attaching the handle to the shell, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said resistance element.

2. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, a heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within a metallic shell, a handle of insulating material extending laterally from the heating element, said handle having a recess formed within the same, a thermostatic switch disposed within said recess,

a metallic member extending laterally from the shell and serving to conduct heat from the heating element to the thermostatic switch, said member also serving as means for attaching the handle to the shell, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said resistance element.

3. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, a heating element, said element comprising an electrical resistance element enclosed within a metallic shell, a handle formed substantially entirely of insulating material, said handle having a recess formed within the same, a thermostatic switch disposed within the recess, a metallic heat-conducting member secured to said shell and extending into said recess in juxtaposition to the thermostatic switch, said member also serving as a means for attaching the handle to the shell, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect thethermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

4. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, a heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated metallic shell, a metal strip extending laterally from one side of said shell, a handle of insulating material, said handle being provided with an enclosed pocket opening through one end of the same, said handle being secured to said metal strip with said strip extending into said pocket, a thermostatic switch disposed within said pocket in juxtaposition with said strip, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

5. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, an electrical heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated metallic shell, a pair of spaced metal strips extending laterally from one edge of said shell, a handle of insulated material, said handle having a pocket formed within the same and opening through one end of the handle, said handle being secured to said metal strips with both of said strips extending into said pocket, a thermostatic switch housed within said pocket and disposed between said metal strips, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

6. In an electrical heater for permanent waving of hair, an electrical heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated metallic shell, a pair of spaced metallic strips extending laterally from one edge of said shell, said strips being of concave form to afford side meeting edges and a pocket between said edges, a handle of insulating material, said handle having a pocket formed within the same and opening through one end of the handle, said handle being secured to said metallic strips with both said strips extending into said last mentioned pocket, a thermostatic switch housed within said first mentioned pocket, and electrical conductors serving to connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

'7. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, an electrical heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated metallic shell, a pair of spaced metallic strips extending laterally from one edge of said shell, said strips being of concave form to afford side meeting edges and to also afford a pocket between such edges, a handle of insulating material, said handle also having a pocket formed within the same and opening through one end of the handle, said handle being secured to said metallic strips with both said strips extending into the pocket of the handle, the side walls of the pocket formed in the handle being grooved to receive the side meeting edges of said strips, a thermostatic switch housed within Said metallic strips, and electrical conductors serving to connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

8. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, an electrical heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated shell formed of sheet metal, a structure forming a hollow lateral extension from the shell and likewise made of sheet metal, a handle of insulating material, means for securing said handle to said structure, a thermostatic switch disposed within said structure, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

9. In an electrical heater for permanent hair waving, an electrical heating element, said element including an electrical resistance element enclosed within an elongated shell formed of sheet metal, a structure forming a hollow lateral extension from the shell and likewise made of sheet metal, a handle of insulating material, said handle having a pocket formed within the same to receive said structure, a thermostatic switch disposed within said pocket and within said structure, said structure forming a means for attaching the handle to said shell, and electrical conductors serving to electrically connect the thermostatic switch in series with said electrical resistance element.

FLOYD V. SCHLEIMER. 

